The legislation creating the Department of Fire Services also created the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission. The Commission is statutorily charged with the appointment of the State Fire Marshal; promulgation of regulations and policies pertaining to the operation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety); review of the annual budget developed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety); advising the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety) regarding state and national fire codes; and consulting with the Massachusetts Fire Training Council to develop standards for fire investigation and certification. The seven-member Commission is composed of the Secretary of Public Safety and Security (ex-officio) and six appointed members as follows: four fire chiefs, one firefighter, and one member of the insurance industry. Contact the Commission at (978) 567-3118.
In 1998 the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission undertook an initiative to create an annual award to recognize and honor the Commonwealth's firefighters for years of service. This award came to fruition and the Massachusetts Firefighter Service Award was announced in February of 1999. Sincere appreciation is expressed to Fire Service Commission members Chief Paul McCaffrey of the Watertown Fire Department and Firefighter David Coleman of the Lynn Fire Department for their tireless efforts in making this award a reality. In addition, the Commission would like to thank the major fire service organizations for without their cooperation, this idea would not have come to fruition.
In an effort to further enhance the professionalism of Fire Chiefs throughout the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission undertook and has established a process of credentialing Fire Chiefs. It is not the intent of the Commission to set standards or qualifications for an individual to hold the designation of Massachusetts Fire Chief but to establish credentials based on education, training and experience criteria relevant to serving as Fire Chief.
This credentialing program is solely administered by the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission and is open to all members of the fire service in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts serving as Chief of Department, or next lowest rank, within their respective department. Participation in this program is voluntary and Fire Chiefs are encouraged to participate. Applications submitted by individuals not currently serving as Chief of Department will not be considered.
One copy of the Fire Chief Credentialing Program Application must be completed and submitted with all required documentation to:
Ms. Barbara H. SteeleDepartment of Fire Services
Fire Service Commission
PO Box 1025
Stow, MA 01775
Applications and accompanying documentation will remain on file and will not be returned to the applicant.
| Name | Organization |
Chairman Chief David T. Butler | Representative of Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts Community from Metro District 13 |
| Edward A. Kelly | Representative of Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts |
| Chief John F. Nash | Representative of Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts Fully Paid Fire Department |
| John K. Golembeski | Representative of the Insurance Industry |
| Chief Alan J. Roy | Representative of the Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts Part Paid, Part Call Fire Department |
| Chief Michael A. Morrissey | Representative of Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts Full Call Fire Department |
| Andrea Cabral | Secretary, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security(Ex-Officio) Designee: Undersecretary Kurt N. Schwartz |
| Staff | |
| Barbara Steele | Administrative Support |